(NewsNation) — A voluntary evening lockdown has been enacted in four Massachusetts towns amid a potentially fatal mosquito-born disease.
The towns of Webster, Oxford, Sutton and Douglas made the decision following confirmation of the first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in Worcester County since 2020.
Massachusetts health officials said 12 cases of EE in 2019 resulted in six deaths, and one death from five cases the following year.
Oxford Board of Health voted in favor of the recommendation that residents should stay inside from 6 p.m. local time until Sep. 30.
The guidance came into effect with immediacy earlier this week. Once October begins the advised curfew starts an hour earlier at 5 p.m.
While the lockdown is not mandatory, CBS News reports that school districts will comply with the measures, meaning sports practices will be halted or moved inside during curfew.
Bodies wishing to continue with outdoor activities are required to file paperwork acknowledging the risks.
